Skuff has done nothing but positive things for Hip-Hop since starting out way back in 99’ forming arguably one of the dopest collectives ever born into our Genre, being a formidable member of Delegates of Culture for many a year has played a vital role into the development of one the sharpest and honest minds within Ukhh. While Delegates of Culture may have subsided back into the underbelly from whence they came, Skuff has continued to inscribe his own energies into several fruitful ventures; the Skuff & Inja show continuously leave flocks of festival goers searching for shattered fragments of their former selves, while his Co-founded Supremebeing fashion label keep’s them all looking dope whilst doing so.
Since dropping “The End Of The World News” a determined sounding Skuff seemed set on sculpting a solo career that stood firm, concreted by the fact that whatever had been recorded, had been recorded because it mattered, 7 years on and “Destroy Everything” has landed on my lap.
“Destroy Everything” jump starts with double barreled intro “Sid Vicious” which catches Skuff evidently exploding with vitality, throwing around knotty wordplays over Farma G’s punchy production, followed by a slightly more self introductory set of verse’s on “For Your Love” ended by a clever vocal sample something that’s carried throughout the album nicely. “The Jewel” catches a humbled sounding Skuff divulging a few home truths about the progression of Hip-Hop over the years, surprisingly over a mellow, soulful vocal looped Inja groove.
“The Me Tune” mirrors the neck snapping vibrancy found in many a live performance; a wobbly self produced banger plays in the background letting Skuff fully demonstrate his ability to lay dope verse’s over diverse productions, this is one of those tracks that when dropped at a live show is gonna result in a whole bunch of spilled Red Stripes!
“ID 2012 (Teens on a Plane)” deals with the topic of identity and the lack of it found in our shallow society, Skuff really delivers a crystal clear message on this track in fact throughout the whole flipping album!
“NYE” very nearly copped my track of the album blessage, Skuff drags us through a personal tip, cleverly involving new year resolutions over a epically dope Paul C cut, deliverance on this really stands out.
“Feeling Good” you already know my opinions and unless your unfortunately hard of hearing you should know Skuff completely rips Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” a new one (in the nicest possible way!).
Almost halfway through & you’ve just picked your Red Stripe can up which is pissing golden goodness like a B-rated pornstar when you catch an AirMax to the jaw as “Spaz Out” abruptly erupts to life, this is a fucking beast of a track Bioviolence makes his debut on the album with crippling effects, Skuff lets us into the world of his hype live performances followed by Life who closes the track with reggae styled spark.
“Darkside” see’s Skuff & Bee109 re-unite, on which Skuff deal’s with some obvious topics and beef’s that have affected him, which he lays to rest in the best possible outlet, as I said previous this album really finds Skuff at his most comfortable and relaxed being able to confront personal issues so publicly really adds a colossal level of maturity and identity to the album.
“Standard” is a feature brawl with Immaculate, Dike, S Class & Inja exchanging short, sharp verses over another Farma G piece. The vocal sample on this one is fucking jokes, Dike runs away with this one with some trademark lyrics.
“Show Love ft Inja” is one of my highlight tracks, once again self produced harmonious synths glide in between tasty kicks, Skuff really comes into his own on this track his deliverance is superb really something special, Inja also really lays a solid verse he has toned down his more aggressive styled flow for something a little more heartfelt, towards the end of his verse reaching pinnacle with unwearied deliverance.
“So Sick” & “Do Be Do” are both produced by Bioviolence both of which Skuff lace’s with signature lyricism and flow, the progression throughout the album is next to none, Skuff has really hit this one out the ball park, being able to balance genuine emotions and messages through a specific medium only really pays off for certain people, if something has been forced it rarely works unless your approaching it with an honest heart & mind. Although every track on this album displays all of these attributes and more, they kind of get lost in translation once the following two tracks get played.
“Dan Shaw (In Loving Memory)” is an ode to a good friend and rapper Dan Shaw who hailed from a crew called THE UNTOLD with Compound Profound who Delegates of culture dropped an LP with. We all have to deal with the loss of loved ones and friends, something that a lot of people deal with in different ways, one of the hardest being in public, Skuff completely opens himself up on this track with raw, unrefined passion, the respect he has for Dan Shaw illuminated the atmosphere while this track kicked from my speakers, cracks in Skuffs voice as his lays down his verse’s left me with nothing but respect for him as an artist.
Skuff produced and re-mastered the Last Track “Veterans” for Dan Shaw who evidently was an extremely talented rapper, merging prophetic wordplays with an obscure flow completing this amazing track with an absolutely incredible hook.
This album is definitely without doubt one of the slickest releases of 2012; I’ve always had time for Skuff and his releases but this really stepped up any estimations I previously had. Its released on Oct 1st on Audio Danger Records be sure to cop it. R.I.P Dan Shaw.
Review By Rikki James @jamzeeze
Skuff – Feeling Good (Music Video) from Joey Lips on Vimeo.
